Happy 66th Birthday, Amy Heckerling! Born today in 1954, this American writer, producer and director is an alumna of both New York University and the American Film Institute. She is one of the highest-grossing female filmmakers in Hollywood history.
She has also directed some commercially successful films. Her most notable include the 1982 American teen coming-of-age comedy-drama film 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' and the 1995 American coming-of-age teen comedy/romance film 'Clueless'.
The former film was Heckerling's directorial debut. Despite her education, she couldn't get a break in Hollywood. Upon its release, however, people started to take notice.
The film was written by American director, producer, screenwriter, journalist, author, and actor Cameron Crowe ('Say Anything...').
The story had been adapted from his 1981 book Fast Times at Ridgemont High: A True Story. Crowe went undercover at Clairemont High School in San Diego, California and wrote about his experiences.
The story had been adapted from his 1981 book Fast Times at Ridgemont High: A True Story. Crowe went undercover at Clairemont High School in San Diego, California and wrote about his experiences.
In addition to Sean Penn, Judge Reinhold, Phoebe Cates, and Jennifer Jason Leigh, the film marks early appearances by several actors who later became stars.
Among these actors, Penn, Cage, and Whitaker later won the Academy Award for Best Actor, with Penn winning twice.
'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' inspired a short-lived 1986 television series for CBS called Fast Times. Ray Walston and Vincent Schiavelli reprised their roles as Mr. Hand and Mr. Vargas on the show.
Other characters from the film were played by different actors. Altogether, the show only ran for seven episodes.
The latter film was loosely based off of English novelist Jane Austen's 1815 romance comedy of manners reference work fiction novel Emma.
'Clueless' has received generally positive reviews from critics and is considered to be one of the best teen films of all time. It had developed a cult following and has a continuing legacy.
Altogether, the sitcom aired sixty-two episodes (1996–1999). Paramount Studios has announced that they are producing a remake.
In the 1980s, Heckerling's other notable work included directing the 1984 American parody/comedy film 'Johnny Dangerously', starring Michael Keaton. The film was a parody of 1930s crime/gangster movies.
Heckerling is also known for directing the 1985 American comedy/family film 'National Lampoon's European Vacation' and the 1989 American romantic comedy film 'Look Who's Talking'.
In the 1990s, Heckerling's other notable work included directing the 1990 American romantic comedy film 'Look Who's Talking Too'.
For the third installment, 'Look Who's Talking Now', Heckerling only co-wrote the screenplay.
In 2005, 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
Heckerling has been active from 1977–present.
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